Did you know The Hasbro Inc. mega-toy brand that we know and love, was first known as ‘Hassenfeld Brothers’? Herman, Hillel, and Henry Hassenfeld, three Polish-Jewish brothers, founded Hassenfeld Brothers in 1923 in Providence, Rhode Island. They started off selling fabric and textile remnants, then expanded to pencil cases, school supplies, and modeling clay– slowly transitioning to a toy company in 1942 after creating a doctor and nurse’s kit as their first toys. The Hasbro company’s first hit was Mr. Potato Head, and later became a major Disney licensee. Another famous Hasbro creation was the G.I. Joe action figure, and many more iconic and beloved toys and products were developed over the years such as Transformers, Power Rangers, Monopoly, Nerf, My Little Pony, Marvel Legends, and Pokémon. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of Kenner, Parker Brothers, and Milton Bradley, among others and is headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on television and has remained in production since its debut.
Contributor: Lauren Brinkman
